Urine color can give you clues about hydration and sometimes illness, but color alone can’t diagnose a condition.
M
Mayo Clinic
+1
Clear/colorless: Usually means you’re very well hydrated, but consistently crystal-clear urine can sometimes mean you’re drinking more water than you need.
C
Cleveland Clinic
Pale yellow/straw: Generally the ideal, normal range for well-hydrated urine.
M
Mayo Clinic
Dark yellow/amber: Often means your urine is concentrated and you may need more fluids, especially after sweating or exercise.
C
Cleveland Clinic
Orange: Can result from dehydration, vitamins or medications, but persistent orange urine can sometimes indicate a liver or bile-duct problem, particularly with yellow skin/eyes or pale stools.
M
Mayo Clinic
Pink/red: Could be from foods such as beets, but it can also indicate blood in the urine from a UTI, kidney stone, prostate problem, or other conditions. Unexplained blood should be medically evaluated.
M
Mayo Clinic
Brown/cola-colored: May occur with severe dehydration, certain medications, liver/kidney problems, or muscle injury after extreme exercise.
M
Mayo Clinic
Cloudy/milky: Can occur with a UTI or kidney stone, among other causes.
M
Mayo Clinic
Green/blue: Often related to food dyes, medications, or medical dyes, but occasionally can be associated with certain infections or rare conditions.
M
Mayo Clinic
When to get checked
Don’t ignore persistent red, brown, orange, or cloudy urine, especially if you also have pain, burning when urinating, fever, yellow skin/eyes, or reduced urination.
M
Mayo Clinic
+1
If you tell me what color your urine is and whether you have any other symptoms, I can explain the most likely possibilities.
M
C
Sources
